Zurich, Switzerland (PANA) - The adjudicatory chamber of the independent Ethics Committee has banned Zambian football legend Kalusha Bwalya, member of the executive committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), for two years from all football-related activities at both national and international level.

The ban covers administrative, sports or any other related activities, a press statement by FIFA said on Friday.

It said Mr Bwalya was on Friday notified of the ban which comes into force immediately.

FIFA said the investigation against Mr Bwalya was opened on 28 February 2017, and focused principally on benefits that Mr Bwalya had received from Qatari Mohammed Bin Hammam, a former football administrator and president of the Asian Football Confederation. He has been banned for life by FIFA.

The adjudicatory chamber found Mr Bwalya guilty of having violated art. 16 (Confidentiality) and art. 20 (Offering and accepting gifts and other benefits) of the FIFA Code of Ethics. A fine of 100,000 Swiss francs was also imposed on Mr Bwalya.

In a reaction, Mr Bwalya said he is innocent of any allegation made against him.

He said in a press release that he has instructed his legal team "to immediately appeal this decision urgently".

He added: "I will like to state that I am not guilty of any offence, which allegedly took place."

Mr. Bwalya said he has "never done and will never do anything to bring the beautiful game into disrepute".

He said he stands by the facts he presented to the Ethics Committee of FIFA.
-0- PANA MA/AR 10Aug2018